The Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program at Cal State LA is designed to provide advanced technical and managerial skills to those seeking advancement in their current career in Information Systems/Information Technology (IS/IT) and to those on the verge of transitioning to a career in IS/IT.
Students can customize their experience from today’s high-demand fields including business analytics, business intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, cloud computing and ERP.
Program Features
- Leadership and management-focused program
- An interdisciplinary program
- Industry-focused events
- Alliances with SAP, IBM, Amazon, and Tableau
Program Requirements
All students applying to the MS Information Systems program must have the following:
- A grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) or in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted
- GMAT or GRE exam*
- One year of work experience in Information Technology is preferred. Internship/project experience counts as well**
- One letter of recommendation
- Professional résumé – List all computer-related education, experience, certificate, and training
- A brief one-page statement of purpose
- Unofficial transcripts of degrees and all computer-related education
* GMAT of GRE is waived for applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or any other field closely related to Information Systems/Technology.
**Minimum two years of Information Systems/Technology-related experience is required for applicants with a STEM degree.
For a detailed list of requirements for admission into our graduate programs, including requirements for international students, please visit our requirements page here.
Curriculum
Core Courses
A total of 30 units are required for the completion of this program. Common core courses make up 9 units while each option has an additional 6-9 units of required courses. Electives make up the remaining units.
Required Common Core Courses (9 units)
Overview of computer, communication and software systems. Cases in: business applications of information technology, managing the acquisition and use of application systems, and working with the information systems organization.
Prerequisite: CIS 5040 or equivalent. Computer communication technologies and trends; communication theory, hardware, software, architectures, services, and security.
Prerequisite: CIS 5040. Discussion of the strategic perspective for aligning organizational strategy, core competencies, and information systems and technology; partnership roles of the CEO and CIO.
MSIS Executive Option Required Courses (9 units)*
Prerequisite: Object-oriented language programming experience. Analysis of contemporary information technology architectures and environments, including multi-tiered client/server architectures; enterprise, workgroup, and personal systems hardware and operating systems; and business systems planning and development tools.
Life cycle of systems development; UML modeling techniques; data modeling; process modeling; enterprise system integration, configuration, installation and maintenance; a case-based approach with hands-on experience in designing information systems.
Prerequisite: CIS 5010 or equivalent. Packaged and custom systems development life cycles. Feasibility and requirements determination. Process, data and object modeling, design, and implementation. Change management.
* In the future we plan to offer an MSIS degree to companies to be taught onsite
MSIS Professional Option Required courses (6 units)
Prerequisite: CIS 1200 or equivalent. Application development for business using structured and object-oriented programming; planning, designing, coding, debugging, and documenting programs.
Prerequisite: CIS 5010 or equivalent. Introduction to data structures and to structured, relational, and object database management systems. Designing and programming personal and production-oriented database system.
Elective Courses
Each option requires12-15 units. For more information please visit the University Catalog.